Balibo 5 - Legacy of Resistance Exhibition - October 2025

For the 50th Commemoration of the Balibo Five, I curated an exhibition, sponsored by the Australian Embassy, which invited viewers to reflect and to celebrate the Legacy of Resistance a living heritage born from sacrifice and truth. The exhibition was collaboration with myself and fellow Balibo artist, Ricky Santos.

The Balibo 5 are five young journalists who lost their lives in Balibo in 1975. As an artist from Balibo, Timor-Leste, the legacy of the Balibo Five isn’t just about the deaths of the five journalists; however, it is also about the courage to share the truth in difficult times - something that is incredibly important, but oftentimes surrendered in the face of danger. I wanted to curate this event, as I believe their legacy deserves to be celebrated - not just for their sacrifice, but also for the strong ties that they brought between my community and Australia. 

As part of this exhibition, we painted the portraits of the Balibo Five, and offered them to the Balibo Museum. These portraits are now permanent pieces in the museum.

Myself, Ricky, the Australian Ambassador, the New Zealand Ambassador, and the Secretary of State for Arts and Culture

Prints of the artwork taken to Australia and given to family members of the five journalists.

Exhibition in Balibo, Timor-Leste